Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have a brief request on social media, which is becoming a huge issue, not just in Ireland but worldwide. Statistics show that 90% of Irish adults own smartphones and that they look at their phones 57 times a day. I wonder how often some of us look at our phones? It is much more than that. It has been scientifically proven that people are addicted to their phones and to social media. It is becoming the new issue, it is the new cigarettes of our modern times. I ask the acting Leader and everybody in the House to support and push for a nationwide social media-free day. It is fine if people need to be on their phones but for that one day we would ask everybody in the country to get rid of social media. That was done with cigarettes and in many other areas. Ireland would be the first country in the world to do this. I am of the view that this collective initiative, not that of just one party but of all of us together, would show a lead in asking the people of Ireland to move away from social media for one day. Let us break the addiction. It is causing mental health issues, bullying and a whole host of issues. I am not saying get rid of social media all together - I do not agree with that - but let us help to try to educate ourselves and the people of Ireland on the damage that can sometimes be caused by the overuse of social media. I would appreciate the support of the acting Leader and the Government on this. I am also asking all of my colleagues to strongly support this initiative.